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First-year writing section

At the UW, we consider the college essay as our opportunity to see the person behind the transcripts and the numbers. You will be required to submit the Common App personal essay and may use the optional writing sections within the Common App if needed.

The Common App Personal Essay

Choose the Common App essay prompt that will best help the UW get to know you beyond the information presented elsewhere in your application. We do not have a preference for which prompt you choose. Select the one that most effectively captures the story you want to share and respond in an essay of no more than 650 words. (The application will not accept a response shorter than 250 words.)

The prompts:

  • Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
  • The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
  • Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
  • Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?
  • Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
  • Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?
  • Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you’ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

The Common App Challenges and Circumstances [optional]

The Common App provides this space for you to explain any unique challenges or circumstances that may have impacted your educational experience and to provide relevant context about how they affected your academic journey. The optional “challenges and circumstances” question (response limited to 250 words) is detailed on the Common App website.

The Common App Additional Information [optional]

This section asks, “Would you like to share any additional details or qualifications not reflected in the application?” You may write up to 300 words.

Examples of how you might use this section include:

  • Unusual academic progression
  • Course availability issues
  • Academic work that doesn’t appear elsewhere in your application

Format for the essay

  • We recommend composing in advance, then copying and pasting into the application. Double-spacing, italics and other formatting will be lost, but this will not affect the evaluation of your application.
  • Give your essay your best effort, presenting yourself in standard, formal English.
  • Proofread, proofread, proofread!

Tip: Write like it matters, not like you’re texting. This is an application for college, not a message to your friend. Some of the best statements are written as personal stories using your individual voice. In general, concise, straightforward writing is best.

 

All writing in the application, including your essay/personal statement, must be your own original work.  If you choose to have a parent, counselor, tutor, friend or AI tool review your writing, it must be done responsibly and ethically — again, it must be your own original work. We look forward to learning about you and your unique perspective through your writing.

Per Washington state law and University of Washington policy, all admissions staff are mandatory reporters of child abuse and neglect. Any statements in written materials that give admissions staff reasonable cause to believe abuse or neglect of someone under the age of 18 may have occurred must be reported to Child Protective Services or the police. Learn more about University reporting requirements. 

If you or someone you know is a survivor of sexual assault or other sexual misconduct, RAINN is a national hotline that provides support and referrals. Call 800.656.4673 or visit the website for a chat option. For individuals who have experienced domestic violence or intimate partner violence, the National DV Hotline offers phone, chat, and text options for support.